A fresh political and legal debate is brewing after Samson Cherargei tabled a motion seeking to strip former President Uhuru Kenyatta of his state-funded retirement benefits.
In the proposal, the senator argues that Kenyatta’s post-presidency conduct may be inconsistent with provisions of the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act, which outlines the expected role of former heads of state.
Cherargei claims that the law requires retired presidents to maintain a largely neutral, advisory position in national affairs. However, he alleges that Kenyatta has remained actively involved in partisan political activities, including making public statements that could be interpreted as supporting or opposing certain political actors and engaging in mobilisation efforts linked to ongoing political contests.
According to the motion, such actions, if proven, would conflict with the spirit of the law and raise questions about the continued justification for publicly funded benefits granted to a retired president.
The senator further argues that the issue goes beyond individual conduct, framing it as a matter of accountability and prudent use of public resources. He is calling for stricter enforcement of the legal framework governing retired leaders to safeguard transparency and uphold the integrity of state expenditure.
If adopted, the motion could trigger a broader review of how retirement benefits for former presidents are administered and the conditions attached to them.
